When to replace your contact lenses and what happens when they expire

It’s easy to take contact lenses for granted. They are so comfortable and accessible that many of us release them every morning without a second thought. In fact, they are a relatively new medical miracle – the first modern plastic contact lens was not introduced Until almost 1950S Or, as D -R Robert Kinast says, “we think the contact lenses are so normal, but 100 years ago no one used to go with small pieces of plastic over their eyes.”

Dr. Kinast, Vice-President of Ophthalmology at Legacy Devers Eye Institute and co-founder of GentledropHe says that “contact lenses are foreign bodies and should be treated with respect.” To this end, we talked to eye experts to explain how to take care of contact lenses and when to replace them.

How long do contacts last?

The life of your contact lenses depends on several factors. Dr Meenal AgarwalHost Optometrist and Podcast Host explains: “Soft daily disposable materials are one -off, so you have to throw them away after a day.” At the other end of the spectrum, she says “hard lenses can last one to two years with proper care.” The most important rule according to D -R Agarwal is always to follow the replacement schedule recommended by your eye doctor.

Soft lenses are the most commonly worn contact lenses, according to Dr. Jovi Boparay, Ophthalmic Surgeon and Co-Founder and CEO of CorneaS He explains that these lenses “range from daily disposable materials to weekly, two -week or monthly.” However, “solid conductive contact lenses can last much longer, ranging from months to year.” These lenses are made of hard plastic.

While most contact lenses will continue for the prediction, some factors can shorten their lives. For example, dust and smoke can cling to your lenses and make them unusable. If there is a Wildfire in your area Or a large number of allergens and your lenses start to feel uncomfortable, you may want to throw them early.

How to find out if your contacts have expired

The fastest way to judge if your contacts have expired is to look at the date of the box. Dr. Boarpai says that unopened contact lenses usually have a shelf life of one to four years from the date of production.

In addition to reviewing the expiration date, you should pay attention to how your lenses look like. According to Dr. Boparay, old lenses may indicate discoloration or damage. He also warns that expired contacts can develop deposits – which means the accumulation of residues on the lenses.

On the other hand, your contacts can still expire, even if they look great. Dr. Agarwal warns: “Lenses may look the same as on the first day, but that doesn’t mean they are still safe to use.” In short, you must first give up the date of leakage, but also throw away your lenses if there are obvious damage or they become painful.

Symptoms of expired contact lenses

It is easy to lose a trace of your lens change when life is borrowed. If this happens, your lenses may let you know that they have expired before you even have the opportunity to track the date of the box.

“Wearing expired contacts can cause redness, pain or discomfort, irritation, blurry vision, excessive dryness and/or infections,” warns D -r Agarwal. You should take these symptoms as a red flag. The doctor advises, “If you experience any of these symptoms, remove the lenses and consult your eye doctor.”

According to Dr. Boparay, the additional symptoms may include “burning, watery eyes, sensitivity to light, ejection, sensation of a foreign body and swelling of the eyelids.”

Signs that your contacts are ready to be replaced

It is worth noting that you do not always experience symptoms when your contacts are ready to change. Adherence to the right schedule is vital, even if you think your contacts can last for a few more weeks. As Dr. Agarwal explains: “Most of the time you will have no symptoms when your lenses are ready to be replaced.”

However, the doctor confirms that if you have overcome contacts for a long time, you may notice vision problems, painful symptoms, or “torn or damaged lentils and/or accumulation of deposits or debris on the lens.” This means it’s definitely time Switch to a fresh pairS

How often should I change my contact lenses?

The simplest answer is to follow the recommended duration of use. Dr. Boparay reiterates that you should change the lenses based on the duration of contact lenses as recommended by your eye doctor. ”

You may also want to consider the length of time when you wear your lenses per day. According to OptometristsAbout half of all contact lenses do not meet the wear schedule recommended by their doctors. This can lead to something called the contact lens syndrome, which happens when your lenses prevent your eyes from absorbing oxygen. Left untreated, you may experience bloodstream, infection or damaged cornea.

Both doctors we talked to insisted that it should Never sleep in contacts Unless recommended by a doctor. This can help prevent the overflow syndrome and also gives you an incentive to check your lenses every morning to make sure it’s not time to change them.

How to take care of your contact lenses

Proper care of your contacts not only helps to maximize their lives, but can also prevent eye infections. First of all, you should always deal with your contact lenses with clean hands, according to American Academy of Ophthalmology (Aao). The organization also recommends using the “rub and rinse” method every time you use your lenses. This means that you first need to rub your lens with clean fingers and then rinse it with a solution of contact lenses.

Contact lenses carry an increased risk of eye inflammation and infection, says Dr. Boparay. He adds that the proper hygiene of contact lenses involves rinsing the lenses for 10-20 seconds before wear and make sure you do not touch your cornea when you take the lenses in and out of your eye. Dr. Boparay also recommends changing your contact lens solution every day.

Dr. Mealal emphasizes the importance of storing your lenses “in a clean case and replacing the case every three months.” It warns that you should never use water or saliva to clean your contact lenses.

How to prevent eye infections associated with contact lenses

The most common eye infection associated with contact lenses is keratitis which Mayo Clinic describes as inflammation of the cornea. Unfortunately, this infection happens a lot. Disease control and prevention centers analyze infections associated with contact lenses between 2005 and 2015, and determine that “keratitis of all reasons, including the wear of contact lenses, leads to Approximately 1 million clinic visits and emergency department annually. “

Thehe Aoo says that wearing lenses with extended clothing, Sleeping in your lenses And maintaining a dirty lens case can make you vulnerable to this type of infection. The Mayo Clinic warns that the hygiene of bad contact lenses allows the growth of bacteria, fungi and parasites that can infect your cornea.

Dr. Agarwal adds to this advice, explaining that contact lenses should never share or reuse lenses. She also warns that you should “avoid carrying contacts in pools, hot tubs or shower.” The important thing is that your doctor recommends removing your lenses at the first sign of discomfort. And do not use saliva to clean your lenses, as D -Boparay warns that it makes you more vulnerable to infection.

When to contact an eye doctor if you wear contact lenses

Aao says patients who are at low risk of eye disease should receive an eye examination At least every two years By the age of 64, unless their doctor recommends more frequent exams. After the age of 65, annual eye exams are the standard.

However, even if you are not at high risk, you should see your eye doctor “as soon as possible, if you experience eye pain, constant redness or swelling, intolerance or discomfort from your lenses, sudden blurred vision, unusual ejection, excessive rupture and/or sensitivity to light.” This is, according to Dr. Agarwal, who adds that you should remove your lenses and not wear them again until your doctor gives you forward.

Changes in vision also require another visit to the eye doctor, says Dr. Boparay. He emphasizes that if you have inconvenient symptoms or loss of vision, “your eye doctor will help you direct the guide to keep your eyes comfortable and clear.”

Bottom line

When you doubt, do not overwork your contact lenses. You should throw them away as soon as they run out, start hurting your eyes or looking damaged. Wearing lenses is incorrectly not just uncomfortable – it can also lead to serious infections. Do not be afraid to call your eye doctor if something seems to be wrong.